COVID-19 IN TEXAS
A STUDY OF THE IMPACTS ON, AND THE PREFERENCES
AND BEHAVIORS OF, TEXANS AND TEXAS HISPANICS
AUGUST 21, 2020
ExecutiveSummaryThisreportexaminesTexaspublicopinionamidsttheCOVID-19Pandemic,withparticularfocusonthepolicypreferencesofTexansvis-à-visgovernmentalresponsestothepandemic,theimpactofthepandemiconTexans,andTexanmask-wearingbehavior.Thereportisbasedonanonlinerepresentativesurveyof846TexasregisteredvoterscarriedoutbetweenAugust4andAugust13,2020.ApluralityofTexans(44.0%)believesthatTexashasrelaxedrestrictionsonbusinessopeningsandsocialdistancingrequirementstooquickly,with28.0%oftheopiniontheyhavebeenrelaxedatabouttherightpaceand28.0%thinkingTexashasbeenmovingtooslowlyinitsrelaxationofrestrictionsandrequirements.However,thereexistprofoundethnic/racialdifferencesintheseopinions,withonlyathirdofAnglos(34.5%)believingthingshavemovedtooquickly,comparedtomorethanhalfofHispanics(55.5%)andAfricanAmericans(61.0%).Texansareevenlysplit47.9%to52.1%betweenthosewhobelievethecountry’stoppriorityshouldbetogettheeconomygoingbysendingpeoplebacktowork(evenifitmeansmorepeoplemightbeexposedtoCOVID-19)andthosewhobelievethecountry’stoppriorityshouldbeslowingthespreadoftheCoronavirus,eveniftheeconomyishurt.Onceagainhowever,thereexistsadeepethnic/racialcleavageinregardtothesetwopriorities.While77.7%ofAfricanAmericansand66.1%ofHispanicsbelieveslowingthespreadoftheCoronavirusshouldbethecountry’stoppriority,only40.2%ofAnglossharethisopinion.Inasimilarvein,thereisanoteworthygendersplit,with58.6%ofwomenbelievingthatslowingthespreadofthevirusshouldbethetopprioritycomparedtoonly44.2%ofmen.NineoutoftenTexansreportthatwhentheyenteragrocerystore(92.9%)orotherindoorretailspace(89.9%)theyareeitherextremelylikelyorlikelytowearamask.Incontrast,morethanhalfofTexansstatethattheyareunlikelyorveryunlikelytowearamaskwhentheyenterafriend’shome(53.8%)orarelative’shome(58.3%).ComparedtoAfricanAmericans(11.6%,16.7%)andHispanics(39.6%,40.6%),Anglos(69.9%,55.6%)areespeciallyunlikelytowearamaskwhentheyenterafriend’shomeorarelative’shomerespectively.InlinewiththepublichealthdatanowbeingreleasedbythestateofTexas,Hispanics(29.4%)andAfricanAmericans(23.7%)aresignificantlymorelikelythanAnglos(12.3%)toreportthattheyoranimmediatefamilymemberhastestedpositiveforCOVID-19.Only1in30Texans(3.4%)appearstobeengagedintheextremeself-quarantiningthatwouldlendastrongdegreeofcredibilitytotheirclaimthat,bynotprovidingamailballotoptiontothoseunder65whofearcontractingtheCoronavirus,thestateofTexasisforcingthemtochoosebetweentheirhealthandsuffrage.But,theverylimiteddatasuggestiftheseindividualsdonotturnouttovote,Republicancandidatesmaywellbeadvantaged,andDemocraticcandidatesdisadvantaged.
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COVID-19INTEXAS:AStudyOfTheImpactsOn,AndThePreferencesAndBehaviorsOf,
TexansAndTexasHispanicsThisreportisthesecondofathree-partseriesfocusingonthe2020PresidentialandU.S.SenateElections,theCOVID-19Pandemic,andHispanicVoters.ThisreportanalyzesTexasopinionsrelatedtotheCOVID-19pandemic,itsimpactonTexasandhowTexanshaverespondedandadaptedtoit.ThefirstreportexaminedthepresidentialandU.S.SenatevotingpreferencesamongTexasvotersaswellasTexans’evaluationofPresidentialTrump’sperformanceinkeypolicyareas.ItalsoexploredtheoverallfavorabilityratingsofnationalandstatepoliticiansalongwiththeimpactofDonaldTrump’stenureinofficeonvoterevaluationsoftheTexasRepublicanParty.METHODOLOGYThesurveywasconductedbetweenAugust4,2020andAugust13,2020fortheTexasHispanicPolicyFoundation(THPF)incoordinationwithRiceUniversity’sBakerInstitute.DatawascollectedviaaYouGovpanelbyinterviewing892respondentsonlinewhowerethenmatcheddowntoasampleof846Texasregisteredvoterstoproducethefinaldataset,whichcontainsanoversampleofHispanicstoallowformoredetailedintra-groupanalysisthanispossibleinastandardsurvey.YouGovisthenation’smostprestigiousonlinesurveycompany,conductingU.S.electionrelatedsurveysforCBSNews,YahooNews,HuffPostandTheEconomist,amongothers.Inaddition,inTexasYouGovhasformorethanadecadeconductedthehighlyregardedandinfluentialtriennialUniversityofTexas/TexasTribunePoll.Therespondentswerematchedtoasamplingframeongender,age,race,andeducation.Theframewasconstructedbystratifiedsamplingfromthe2018CurrentPopulationSurvey(CPS)samplewithselectionwithinstratabyweightedsamplingwithreplacements(usingthepersonweightsonthepublicusefile).Thematchedcaseswereweightedtothesamplingframeusingpropensityscores.Thematchedcasesandtheframewerecombinedandalogisticregressionwasestimatedforinclusionintheframe.Thepropensityscorefunctionincludedage,gender,race/ethnicity,yearsofeducation,andregion.Thepropensityscoresweregroupedintodecilesoftheestimatedpropensityscoreintheframeandpost-stratifiedaccordingtothesedeciles.Theweightswerethenpost-stratifiedon2016Presidentialvotechoice,andafour-waystratificationofgender,age(4-categories),race(4-categories),andeducation(4-categories),toproducethefinalweight.
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COVID-19RESTRICTIONSINTEXASInthesurveyrespondentswereaskediftheybelievedthattheCOVID-19restrictionsonbusinessoperationsandsocialdistancingrequirementsinTexaswerebeingrelaxedtooquickly,tooslowly,oratjustabouttherightpace.Overall,44.0%ofTexansbelievetherestrictionsarebeingrelaxedtooquicklyversus28.0%whobelievetheyarebeingrelaxedtooslowly,andanother28.0%whoareoftheopinionthatthepaceofrestrictionandrequirementrelaxationinTexasisproceedingatabouttherightpace.Table1providestheoveralldistributionofopinionsaswellasthedistributionbrokendownamongthethreeprincipalethnic/racialgroupsinTexas:Anglos(non-HispanicWhites),Hispanics,andAfricanAmericans.Anglosaccountedfor57.1%ofthesurveyrespondents,Hispanicsfor25.5%,AfricanAmericansfor13.9%andothersfor3.6%(thislattergroupistoosmallforreliableanalysisandisthereforeexcludedfromthetables).Table1.Ethnicity/Race&RelaxationofCOVID-19Restrictions(%)Response Overall Anglos Hispanics African
AmericansTooQuickly 44.0 34.5 55.5 61.0RightPace 28.0 32.3 22.8 19.4TooSlowly 28.0 33.2 21.7 19.6Anglosaresplitintothirdswithequalsizedgroupsbelievingthepaceofrelaxationishappeningtooquickly(34.5%),tooslowly(33.2%),andatabouttherightpace(32.3%).ThisstandsinsharpcontrasttobothHispanicsandAfricanAmericans,wherealargemajority(55.5%and61.0%)believetherelaxationofrestrictionsandsocialdistancingrequirementsistakingplacetooquickly,versusonlyafifth(21.7%and19.6%respectively)whobelieveitistakingplacetooslowlyandafifthwhobelieveitisoccurringatjustabouttherightpace(22.8%and19.4%respectively).Table2providesabreakdownofopinionsrelatedtotherelaxationofCOVID-19restrictionsandsocialdistancingrequirementsbygender.Womenaccountfor55.0%oftherespondentsandmenfor45.0%.Table2.Gender&RelaxationofCOVID-19Restrictions(%)Response Overall Women MenTooQuickly 44.0 47.4 39.7RightPace 28.0 29.5 26.2TooSlowly 28.0 23.1 34.1
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Thereexistsamoderategenderdifferenceinregardtotherespondents’viewsregardingtherelaxationofCOVID-19restrictionsandsocialdistancingrequirements.Womenaremodestlymorelikelythanmentobelievetherelaxationisoccurringtooquickly(47.4%to39.7%)whilemenaremodestlymorelikelythanwomentobelievetherelaxationisoccurringtooslowly(34.1%to23.1%).Relativelyequalsharesofwomenandmenbelievethepaceofrelaxationisaboutright(29.5%vs.26.2%respectively).Table3providesabreakdownofopinionsrelatedtotherelaxationofCOVID-19restrictionsandsocialdistancingrequirementsbygeneration.ForthepurposesofthisanalysisthemembersoftheSilentGeneration(bornbetween1928and1945)aregroupedtogetherwiththeBabyBoomers(1946-1964),andMillenials(1981-1996)andmembersofGenerationZ(1997-)aregroupedtogether.GenerationX(1965-1980)isexaminedonitsown.Thethreegroupsaccountfor47.3%,31.0%and21.7%ofthesurveypopulationrespectively.Table3.Generation&RelaxationofCOVID-19Restrictions(%)Response Overall SilentGeneration
&BabyBoomersGenerationX Millenials&
GenerationZTooQuickly 44.0 40.8 49.1 45.1RightPace 28.0 32.5 23.0 24.7TooSlowly 28.0 26.7 27.9 30.2TherearerelativelylimitedgenerationaldifferencesinregardtothepaceofrelaxationofCOVID-19restrictionsandsocialdistancingrequirements.MembersofGenerationXareslightlymorelikelythanmembersoftheSilentGeneration&BabyBoomers(49.1%to40.8%)tobelievethingsareprogressingtooquickly,withtheobversetrueinregardtobeliefthatthingsareprogressingattherightpace(23.0%vs.32.5%).Otherthanthat,thereexistlittleinthewayofnotablegenerationaldifferencesonthispolicydimension.Table4providesabreakdownofopinionsontherelaxationofCOVID-19restrictionsandsocialdistancingrequirementsbyeducation.Respondentsweresplitintothreegroupsbasedontheirhighestlevelofeducationalattainment:primarythroughhighschool(30.0%),somecollegethroughatwo-yearcollegedegree(30.6%),andafour-yeardegreethroughapostgraduatedegree(39.4%).Table4.Education&RelaxationofCOVID-19Restrictions(%)Response Overall Primary+
HighSchoolSomeCollege+2YearDegree
4YearDegree+PostGraduate
TooQuickly 44.0 46.1 43.5 42.5RightPace 28.0 25.8 30.9 26.5TooSlowly 28.0 28.1 25.7 31.0
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Table4revealsthattheredonotappeartoexistanynotabledifferencesinrespondentopinionvis-à-vistherelaxationofCOVID-19restrictionsandsocialdistancingrequirementsbasedoneducation.Theproportionsofeachofthethreeeducationalgroupsthatbelievethepaceisgoingtooquickly,tooslowlyandattherightpacearesubstantivelysimilar.TOPPRIORITYFORTHECOUNTRY:THEECONOMYVS.SLOWINGTHESPREADTherespondentswereaskedtochoosebetweentwooptionsforwhattheyconsideredthetoppriorityforthecountryshouldbenow:Option1:Trytogettheeconomygoingbysendingpeoplebacktowork,evenifitmeansmorepeoplemightbeexposedtotheCoronavirus;Option2:TrytoslowthespreadoftheCoronavirusbykeepingpeoplehomeandsocialdistancing,eveniftheeconomyishurt.Texansasagrouparesplitrightdownthemiddleonthisissue,with52.1%listingthesecondoptionofslowingthespreadoftheCoronavirusasthetoppriorityand47.9%listingthefirstoptionofgettingtheeconomygoingasthetoppriority.Table5.Ethnicity/RaceandtheTopPriorityfortheCountry(%)Response Overall Anglos Hispanics African
AmericansSlowtheSpreadofCoronavirus
52.1 40.2 66.1 77.7
GettheEconomyGoing
47.9 59.8 33.9 22.3
Table5underscorestheexistenceofverystrongethnic/racialdifferencesregardingwhetherthecountryshouldprioritizetheeconomyorslowingthespreadoftheCoronavirus.AnotablemajorityofAnglos(59.8%)thinkthatgettingtheeconomygoingshouldbethetopprioritywhiletothecontraryanevenlargerproportionofHispanics(66.1%),andastilllargerproportionAfricanAmericans(77.7%),believethatslowingthespreadofthevirusshouldbethecountry’stoppriority.Table6.GenderandtheTopPriorityfortheCountry(%)Response Overall Women MenSlowtheSpreadofCoronavirus
52.1 58.6 44.2
GettheEconomyGoing
47.9 41.4 55.8
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WhilenotaspronouncedasthedifferencesbetweenAnglosandnon-AnglosseeninTable5,Table6neverthelessrevealssignificantgenderdifferencesinregardtothetoppriorityforthecountry.Amajorityofwomen(58.6%)believeslowingtheCoronavirus’sspreadshouldbethecountry’stopprioritywhileamajorityofmen(55.8%)believegettingtheeconomygoingshouldbethetoppriority.Table7.GenerationandtheTopPriorityfortheCountry(%)Response Overall SilentGeneration&
BabyBoomersGenerationX Millenials&
GenerationZSlowtheSpreadofCoronavirus
52.1 47.2 60.5 53.8
GettheEconomyGoing
47.9 52.8 39.5 46.2
Table7presentsrelativelylimiteddifferencesinthetoppriorityforthecountryamongthethreegenerationalgroups.TheonlynoteworthygenerationaldifferenceisthatfoundbetweentheSilentGeneration&BabyBoomersononehand,whoareequallysplitbetweenthosewhoprioritizetheslowingthespreadoftheCoronavirus(47.2%)andthosewhoviewgettingtheeconomygoingasthetoppriority(52.8%),andtheirgenerationalneighbors,GenerationX,themembersofwhichprioritizeslowingthespreadofthevirus(60.5%)overgettingtheeconomygoing(39.5%)byanotablemargin.Table8.EducationandtheTopPriorityfortheCountry(%)Response Overall Primary+
HighSchoolSomeCollege+2YearDegree
4YearDegree+PostGraduate
SlowtheSpreadofCoronavirus
52.1 53.1 50.5 52.6
GettheEconomyGoing
47.9 46.9 49.5 47.4
Table8indicatesthattheredonotexistanynotabledifferencesbasedoneducationalattainmentinregardtotheprioritizationofslowingthespreadoftheCoronavirusvs.gettingtheeconomygoing.GOINGBACKTOWORK?Respondentswhohavegonebacktoworkoutsideoftheirhomewereaskedtheextenttowhichtheyagreedwiththestatementthattheywouldhavepreferredtohavewaitedtogobacktowork,butforfinancialreasonsfelttheyhadnochoicebuttoreturntowork.Respondentsweregiventheoptionsofstronglyagree,agree,
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neitheragreenordisagree,disagree,andstronglydisagree.Forthepurposesofthisanalysisthetwoagreeanddisagreecategoriesarerespectivelymergedtocreateathree-pointscaleofagree,neither(agreenordisagree),anddisagree.Overall35.4%oftherespondentsagreedwiththestatement,40.1%disagreed,and24.4%neitheragreednordisagreed.Table9.Ethnicity/Race&GoingBacktoWork(%)Response Overall Anglos Hispanics African
AmericansAgree 35.4 28.3 42.5 39.7Neither 24.4 24.2 19.7 38.3Disagree 40.1 47.3 37.9 21.9Table9signalsthatHispanics(42.5%)andtoalesserextentAfricanAmericans(39.7%)aresignificantlymorelikelytoagreethanAnglos(28.3%)thattheywouldhavepreferredtohavewaitedtogobacktoworkoutsideofthehomebutfelttheyhadtoforfinancialreasons,justasAnglos(47.3%)aresignificantlymorelikelythanHispanics(37.9%)andespeciallyAfricanAmericans(21.9%)todisagreewiththestatement.Table10.Gender&GoingBacktoWork(%)Response Overall Women MenAgree 35.4 42.1 28.3Neither 24.4 26.6 22.1Disagree 40.1 31.4 49.6Table10highlightsstronggenderdifferencesinagreementwiththestatement,withwomen(42.1%)significantlymorelikelytoagreewiththestatementthanmen(28.3%),andmen(49.6%)significantlymorelikelythanwomen(31.4%)todisagreewiththestatement.Table11.Generation&GoingBacktoWork(%)Response Overall SilentGeneration
&BabyBoomersGenerationX Millenials&
GenerationZAgree 35.4 39.0 32.2 35.7Neither 24.4 22.7 31.5 19.6Disagree 40.1 38.3 36.3 44.7Table11revealsthatgenerationaldifferencesarelargelyabsentinregardtotherespondents’agreementordisagreementwiththestatement.AsimilarlackofdifferencesbasedoneducationisillustratedinTable12,withthepartialexceptionofanotabledifferencebetweenthosewithaprimaryorhighschooleducation
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(45.3%)beingsomewhatmorelikelytodisagreewiththestatementthanthosewithsomecollegeoratwo-yeardegree(35.8%).Table12.Education&GoingBacktoWork(%)Response Overall Primary+
HighSchoolSomeCollege+2YearDegree
4YearDegree+PostGraduate
Agree 35.4 35.1 38.7 32.7Neither 24.4 19.7 25.5 27.1Disagree 40.1 45.3 35.8 40.2MASKWEARINGBEHAVIORBYTEXANSOneofthemostvisibleelementsofthebattleagainstCOVID-19inTexasisthewearingofamaskwhenoutsideofthehome.Wequeriedrespondentsaboutwhethertheywereextremelylikely,likely,unlikely,orveryunlikelytowearamaskwhentheyenteredaseriesofdifferentlocations:agrocerystore,anindoor(non-grocery)retailestablishment,anoutdoorretailestablishment,aplaceofworship,afriend’shome,arelative’shome,arestaurant,apublicpark,andagym.Therespondentswerealsogiventheoptionofrespondingthattheywerenotgoingtothelocationthesedays.Table13containstheresultsfortheentirepopulation.Foreachoftheninelocationsthefirstrowcontainstheproportionsforallrespondentsandthesecondrowcontainstheproportionsforthosewhoaregoingtothelocationatthepresenttime(thatisexcludingthosewhoarenotgoingtothelocationthesedays).
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Table13.LikelihoodofUsingMaskWhenEnteringLocation(%)Location Extremely
LikelyLikely Unlikely Extremely
UnlikelyNotGoingTheseDays
GroceryStore
73.5 14.9 3.5 3.3 4.9
GroceryStoreShoppers
77.3 15.6 3.7 3.4
OtherIndoorRetail
58.9 18.5 4.5 4.2 14.0
OtherIndoorRetailShoppers
68.4 21.5 5.2 4.9
OutdoorRetail
39.3 18.6 12.6 10.2 19.3
OutdoorRetailShoppers
48.7 23.0 15.6 12.7
PlaceofWorship
35.9 12.5 4.8 6.7 40.0
PlaceofWorshipAttendees
59.9 20.9 8.1 11.2
Friend’sHome
18.2 14.4 17.8 20.2 29.5
Friend’sHomeVisitors
25.9 20.4 25.2 28.6
Relative’sHome
17.9 14.3 21.3 23.7 22.8
Relative’sHomeVisitors
23.2 18.5 27.6 30.7
Restaurant 39.0 17.0 7.9 7.2 29.0RestaurantPatrons
54.9 23.9 11.1 10.1
PublicPark 22.0 11.6 17.4 26.7 22.9PublicParkVisitors
28.5 15.0 22.5 34.6
Gym 26.1 8.8 2.7 6.2 56.3GymPatrons
59.6 20.1 6.1 14.2
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Figure1displaysthepercentageofthoseindividualswhoaregoingtotherespectivelocationthesedayswhoareextremelylikelytowearamaskwhenenteringthelocation.Morethanthreeoutoffourindividualswhoenteragrocerystore(77%)areextremelylikelytowearamaskwhenentering,followedinfrequencybythoseenteringotherindoorretailestablishments(68%),attendingworship(60%),workingoutatagym(60%),patronizingarestaurant(55%),andshoppingatanoutdoorretailestablishment(49%).Incontrast,onlyaroundoneinfourrespondentswasextremelylikelytowearamaskwhenenteringarelative’shome(23%)orafriend’shome(26%),proportionsthatareevenslightlylowerthanthosewhoareextremelylikelytowearamaskwhenenteringapublicpark(29%).
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Figure2providessomethingofaflip-sidetoFigure1,containingtheproportionofrespondentswhoreportedthattheywereeitherunlikelyorveryunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringthelocation.Morethanhalfofthesurveyrespondentsareunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringarelative’shome(58%),visitingapublicpark(57%),andenteringafriend’shome(54%).Attheotherendofthespectrumonlyoneintenrespondentswasunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringagrocerystore(7%)orother(non-grocery)indoorretailestablishment(10%),andonlyoneinfivewasunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringaplaceofworship(19%),agym(20%),orarestaurant(21%).Theresultsabovesuggestthatasignificantshareofthepopulationispotentiallyplacingthemselvesandothersatsubstantiallygreaterriskwhenvisitingthehomesoffriendsorrelatives,especiallyiftheyarenotcertainthatboththeyandtheirfriendsorrelativesarenotinfectedwiththeCOVID-19virus.
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Finally,Figure3liststheproportionofindividualswhoatthepresenttimearenotvisitingtherespectivelocation.Morethanhalfofrespondents(56%)arenotvisitinggymsand40%notvisitingplacesofworship.Attheotherendofthespectrum,only5%ofthepopulationisnotvisitinggrocerystoresandonly14%isnotvisitingotherindoorretailestablishments.Belowweexaminemask-wearingpracticeswhenenteringfourkeylocations(GroceryStores,PlacesofWorship,Friend’sHome,Relative’sHome)brokendownbyethnicity/race,gender,generation,andeducation.Thefocusisonthepercentageofthoseenteringthelocation,butwealsoprovideinaseparatecolumntheproportionofrespondentswhoarenotgoingtothelocationthesedays.Table14breaksdownmaskwearingbehaviorbyethnicity/raceforthestate’sthreemostprominentethnic/racialgroups:Anglos(non-HispanicWhites),Hispanics,andAfricanAmericans.Ethnic/racialdifferencesarerelativelymoderateinregardtomaskwearingbehavioratgrocerystores,butwithanotablegapexistingbetweenthosewhoareextremelylikelytowearmasks,withonly73.1%ofAnglosextremelylikelytowearamaskcomparedto85.9%ofAfricanAmericans.Differencesrelatedtoattendanceofhousesofworshiparemoreevenmorenotable,withAfricanAmericans(81.0%)
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mostlikelytowearmaskswhenenteringandAnglos(51.7%)leastlikely,withHispanics(64.1%)inbetweenthesetwoextremes.Farmoresubstantialdifferenceshoweverexistinbehaviorwhenenteringafriend’shomeorarelative’shome.Anglosaresignificantlylesslikelytowearamaskwhenenteringafriendorrelative’shousethaneitherHispanicsorAfricanAmericans,andinturnHispanicsaresignificantlylesslikelytowearamaskwhenenteringafriendorrelative’shomethanareAfricanAmericans.Forexample,69.9%and75.6%ofAnglosareeitherunlikelyorveryunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringafriendorrelative’shomerespectively.Thiscontrastswith39.6%and40.6%ofHispanicswhoareunlikelyorveryunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringafriend’shomeorarelative’shomerespectively,and11.6%and16.7%ofAfricanAmericanswhorespectivelyareunlikelyorveryunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringafriend’sorrelative’shome.Table14:Ethnic/RaceandMaskWearingWhenEnteringaLocation(%)Location Ethnicity/Race Extremely
LikelyLikely Unlikely Very
UnlikelyNotGoing
GroceryStore
Anglos 73.1 17.7 5.5 3.7 (5.4)
Hispanics 81.3 14.8 1.0 2.9 (2.4) African
Americans85.9 10.0 1.0 3.2 (2.1)
PlaceofWorship
Anglos 51.7 22.2 12.1 14.0 (41.7)
Hispanics 64.1 26,8 3.5 5.6 (39.7) African
Americans81.0 9.5 2.9 6.6 (39.7)
Friend’sHome
Anglos 15.0 15.2 30.7 39.2 (27.1)
Hispanics 37.1 23.3 24.2 15.4 (37.9) African
Americans52.1 36.4 5.8 5.8 (20.3)
Relative’sHome
Anglos 13.6 10.7 32.7 42.9 (20.3)
Hispanics 35.2 24.2 23.9 16.7 (29.7) African
Americans42.1 41.2 12.4 4.3 (14.7)
Table15breaksdownmaskwearingbehaviorbygender.Womenaremoderatelymoreapttobemorelikelytowearamaskwhenenteringthehomeofafriendor
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relativethanaremen,whilemenweremoderatelymoreunlikelytowearamaskwhenenteringthosesametwolocations.Table15:GenderandMaskWearingWhenEnteringaLocation(%)Location Gender Extremely
LikelyLikely Unlikely Very
UnlikelyNotGoing
GroceryStore
Women 80.5 12.2 4.0 3.3 (5.9)
Men 73.5 19.7 3.2 3.6 (3.6) PlaceofWorship
Women 66.9 15.6 6.8 10.6 (43.7)
Men 52.4 26.5 9.4 11.8 (35.5) Friend’sHouse
Women 32.5 21.4 21.9 24.2 (34.5)
Men 19.0 19.3 28.5 33.2 (23.3) Relative’sHouse
Women 27.5 19.1 26.0 27.4 (24.3)
Men 18.1 17.9 29.5 34.6 (21.1)Table16breaksdownmaskwearingbehaviorbygeneration.Overallthereareveryfewsignificantdifferencesinmaskwearingbehavioracrossthethreegenerationalgroups(SilentGeneration+BabyBoomers,GenerationX,Millenials+GenerationZ).Theoneexceptionisrelatedtothoseextremelylikelytowearamaskwhenenteringaplaceofworship,whereMillenialsandGenerationZmemberswerenotablylesslikelythanmembersoftheothertwogenerationalgroupstobeextremelylikelytowearamask.Otherthanthatoneinstance,therewerenosignificantgenerationaldifferencesinmaskwearingbehavior.Table16:GenerationandMaskWearingWhenEnteringaLocation(%)Location Generation Extremely
LikelyLikely Unlikely Very
UnlikelyNotGoing
GroceryStore
Silent+Boomers
80.3 14.8 3.0 2.0 (4.2)
Gen.X 77.3 13.9 4.6 4.3 (3.1) Millenials+
Gen.Z72.6 18.2 4.1 5.2 (7.0)
PlaceofWorship
Silent+Boomers
63.5 22.0 8.2 6.4 (42.6)
Gen.X 65.9 11.1 10.4 12.6 (35.9)
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Millenials+Gen.Z
49.6 25.8 6.6 18.1 (38.9)
Friend’sHome
Silent+Boomers
24.7 20.3 27.2 27.8 (31.1)
Gen.X 27.5 18.9 23.7 29.8 (29.1) Millenials+
Gen.Z26.4 21.5 23.2 28.9 (27.4)
Relative’sHome
Silent+Boomers
22.1 19.1 27.1 31.7 (22.4)
Gen.X 27.2 15.6 29.6 27.7 (25.1) Millenials+
Gen.Z22.2 19.7 26.9 31.3 (21.8)
Table17breaksdownmask-wearingbehaviorbytherespondents’highestlevelofeducationalattainment.Asthetablemakesabundantlyclear,thereexistnosignificantdifferencesinmaskwearingbehavioracrossmembersofthethreedifferenteducationalattainmentgroups(primaryandhighschool,somecollegeandatwo-yeardegree,afour-yeardegreeandpostgraduatestudy).Table17:EducationandMaskWearingWhenEnteringaLocation(%)Location Education Extremely
LikelyLikely Unlikely Very
UnlikelyNotGoing
GroceryStore
Primary+HighSchool
76.7 14.4 5.8 3.1 (3.9)
SomeCollege+2Year
73.8 20.4 2.2 3.6 (3.7)
4Year+PostGraduate
80.6 12.8 3.2 3.5 (6.5)
PlaceofWorship
Primary+HighSchool
61.9 16.7 6.0 15.4 (40.9)
SomeCollege+2Year
57.8 19.0 13.4 9.7 (41.5)
4Year+PostGraduate
59.9 25.3 5.6 9.2 (38.3)
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Friend’sHome
Primary+HighSchool
29.6 19.6 23.0 27.9 (28.4)
SomeCollege+2Year
23.7 19.6 26.2 30.5 (27.2)
4Year+PostGraduate
24.7 21.7 26.0 27.6 (32.0)
Relative’sHome
Primary+HighSchool
26.1 24.3 22.1 27.5 (18.8)
SomeCollege+2Year
22.1 15.9 30.7 31.2 (22.0)
4Year+PostGraduate
21.7 15.8 29.5 33.0 (26.5)
POSITIVECOVID-19TESTANDETHNICITY/RACETable18containsinformationontheproportionofrespondentswhoreportedthateithertheyoranimmediatefamilymemberhastestedpositiveforCOVID-19.Alltogether18.0%oftherespondentsreportedthateithertheyoranimmediatefamilymemberhadtestedpositivevs.82.0%whoindicatedthatneithertheynoranimmediatefamilymemberhadtestedpositiveforCOVID-19.ThetablereinforcestheconclusionsgleanedfromofficialTexaspublichealthdatathatHispanicsandAfricanAmericanshavebeenmorelikelytotestpositiveforCOVID-19thanAnglos,with29.4%and23.7%ofHispanicsandAfricanAmericansreportingpositiveCOVID-19testswithintheirimmediatefamilycomparedto12.3%ofAnglos.Table18:PositiveCOVID-19Test&Ethnicity/Race(%)PositiveTest Overall Anglos Hispanics African
AmericansYes 18.0 12.3 29.4 23.7No 82.0 87.3 70.6 76.4MAILBALLOTSINTEXASINTHEMIDSTOFTHECOVID-19PANDEMICAgreatdealofenergyonbothsidesofthepoliticalaislehasbeendevotedtothetopicofprovidingmailballotstothoseindividualswhofearthatvotingin-personcouldcausethemtocontractCOVID-19andindoingsoputtheirhealthaswellasthehealthoftheirfamilymembersatrisk.Theveryvalidargumentmadeby
17
proponentsofmoreexpansivemailballotoptionsisthatpeopleshouldnotbeforcedtohavetochoosebetweenprotectingtheirandtheirfamily’shealthandexercisingtheirrightofsuffrage.InTexas,stateandcountyofficialshavehighlightedanumberofmeasurestheyhavetakentomakein-personvotingsaferthisyearincludingtheextensionoftheearlyvotingperiod,greaterspacingbetweenvotingmachines,fingergloves,andthefrequentsanitizingofvotingmachinesandpollinglocations.Together,thesemeasuresarguablymakevotingin-personnotablysaferthangoingtothegrocerystore.ReferringbacktoTable13,weknowthatonly4.9%oftherespondents(allofwhomareregisteredvoters)arenotgoingtothegrocerystorethesedays.Theseindividualswouldappeartobeengagedintheformofextremesocialdistancingthatwouldsuggestthattheytrulybelievethatvotingin-personwouldrepresentaserioushealthrisktoeitherthemand/orsomeonewithwhomtheylive.Furthermore,inTexasthosewhoare65andoldercanrequestamailballotforanyreason.Whentheyareexcluded,thatdropstooverallproportionofTexasregisteredvoterswhoarequitelikelyadverselyaffectedbythedecisiontonotallowvoterstorequestamailballotduetofearofcontractingCOVID-19to3.4%.Theproportionof3.4%isnotalargenumber,suggestingthatrelativelyfewTexansaretrulybeingputinapositionofchoosingbetweentheirhealthandtheirrightofsuffrage.Thatsaid,theproportionisalsonot0.0%,indicatingthatabout1inevery33Texasvoterswillquitepossiblybeforcedthisfalltochoosebetweenengaginginpracticesthattheybelievesafeguardtheirortheirfamily’shealthandcastingavoteinoneofthemostconsequentialelectionsinrecentmemory.Thepopulationof3.4%istoosmalltoprovideanyaccurateanalysis,butwiththatverysubstantialcaveatinmind,weprovidetheethnic/racialbreakdownofthisgroupof3.4%aswellastheirpresidentialandU.S.Senatevotepreferences.Theethnic/racialbreakdownis:Anglo(48.5%),Latino(16.9%),AfricanAmerican(8.6%)andOthers(26.0%).Thepresidentialvotedistributionis51.9%forDemocratJoeBiden,24.1%forRepublicanDonaldTrump,9.7%forGreenHowieHawkinsand14.4%unsure.TheTexasU.S.Senatevotechoiceis61.6%forDemocratMJHegar,36.0%forRepublicanJohnCornyn,and2.4%unsure.Aswasalreadymentioned,thesmallsizeofthispopulationrendersanydataanalysisinconclusive.Thatsaid,thesedatadoatleasttendtosuggestthepossibilitythatifthissmallsub-groupofTexanschoosestoprioritizetheirhealthovervotingin-personthisfall,theRepublicansTrumpandCornynwouldbeadvantagedwhiletheDemocratsBidenandHegarwouldbedisadvantaged.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hon. Jason
Villalba
Chairman of the
Board of Directors
Hon. Hope
Andrade
Board Member
Hon. Carlos
Cascos
Board Member
Hon. Leticia
Van De Putte
Board Member
Regina
Montoya
Board Member
Robert A.
Estrada
Board Member
Hon. Sarah
Saldaña
Board Member
Trey
Newton
Board Member
David
Cabrales
Board Member
Hon.
Victor Leal Board Member
OFFICERS
Hon. Jason
Villalba
President
Trey
Newton
Chief Executive
Officer
Dr. Mark
Jones, Ph.D. Director of Research
and Analytics
Jessica
Coggins
Executive Director
ABOUT THE TEXAS HISPANIC POLICY FOUNDATION
The Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation operates as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization,
dedicated and committed to analyzing and exploring the political, economic, social, demographic,
and familial attitudes, and behaviors of Texas Hispanics. In collaboration with Rice University
and the Baker Institute for Public Policy, the Foundation conducts surveys, polls, research, data
collection and analysis concerning the Hispanic population in Texas. You can find more
information about the Foundation at www.TxHPF.org.